Speedshow ’09 is here!

Speedshow ’09 is here!

The third annual Speedshow automotive extravaganza opens at 9am on Saturday 19 September at the ASB Showgrounds with a vast array of performance, historic and unique cars and motorbikes to delight fans of all ages.

With literally hundreds of vehicles going to be on display in and around the showgrounds’ buildings for just two days, Speedshow organiser Keith Sharp estimates vehicles worth more than $100 million are on show at this year’s event.

“From a beautiful 1926 Bugatti raced by New Zealand motorsport legend Ron Boycroft to the newest 2009 Porsche GT3 Carrera Cup race car and the 3,000 HP Nitro dragster called ‘The Phoenix’, this year’s Speedshow is truly exciting in the sheer diversity of the vehicles,” says Sharp.

“The oldest exhibit is a 1903 Ford that cost 180 pounds when brand-new while nearby is a DTM-spec Mercedes Benz AMG supercar, one of only 100 in the whole world that cost well over $500,000 new.”

Other highlights include the Batmobile from the original Batman movies courtesy of Warner Brothers Movie World, Gold Coast, the world’s fastest NASCAR and star of his own animated TV show, Roary the Racing Car.

Sharp recommends car and motorbike fans allow several hours to explore the full extent of this year’s Speedshow. “The whole show is nearly twice as big as last year, with so many displays inside and outside, it’s been a pleasurable problem fitting them all together.

The Speedshow 4 Kids dedicated children’s area has Roary the Racing Car shows at 10am and 12pm each day. The Ezy Buy Auctions live action arena sees the Phoenix fired up for utterly crazy noise and excitement, along with the brilliant Mini motokhana and precision driving from the Wildcard Entertainment stunt utes.

Some of New Zealand’s best drift cars are alongside historic racing bikes and New Zealand’s best race car simulators, says Sharp. “See fantastic new cars and motorcycles from some of the world’s leading manufacturers and exhibitors with a wide array of motoring and motorsport-related products and services, but honestly there’s too much to mention so if you like cars and motorbikes, get along to the show this weekend!”

Speedshow ’09 takes place at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland over the weekend of 19 and 20 September. Tickets are available at the gate. Speedshow is open from 9am to 6pm both days and more information about the event can be found on www.speedshow.co.nz.

ENDS/